Pressing machine



June l2, 1928. 1,673,363

G; w. JOHNSON PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY M June l2, 1928. 1,673,363

' G. w. J'oHNsoN PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1925 S'SheetS-Sheet 2 yllllllllllll 5 1N VENTO/e E y any Panarea June 12,' ieee.

UNITED STATES 1,5%,363 PATENT FFlCE.

GEORGE W. JOHNSON, O F NORWOOD, 013110, ASSIGNOB T THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, .A CQRPORATION OF OHIO.

rarissime atacante.

Application led October 9, 1925.

This invention relates to power lactuated pressing machines such as are used fory pressing garments or for ironing laundered articles.

The object of the invention is`to provide an improved press of this kind in which the head is lowered manually into pressing relation with the bed, following which ironing pressure may be produced by power actuated means.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an improved Vpress of the kind described in which the operating connections' from the power source to the pressing head are disabled when the press is open and continue so until the head has been manually moved so close to `the bed as to avoid any possibility of any abnormal obstruction, such as a part of the operators person, lying between the head and-bed, therebysafeguarding the operator from injury, andl in which, moreover, when the press has been manually closed, said operating connections are rendered eective and are latched or held in operating position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means enabling the operator at will to unla'tch said operating connections for opening the press without the production of power pressure.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a press of this kind in which the head is normally opened by the power means and wherein the power' mechanism automatically uncouples or disables the operating connections after a power operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide suitable improved control and timing means for producing power sequence of the operating movement and for stopping the head accurately in its several positions.

A 'further object of the invention is to provide a special and improved form of operating connections from the power operating means -to the pressing members and which mechanism is capable ot being disabled or of being rendered effective both automatically and at the will of the operator and which mechanism specifically includes a lost motion connection, such as a slot and pin, between a' `connecting rod and the toggle operating membersconnected to the head.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter. Y

Vheated pressing head 5 on rframe at 11 and carrying a Serial No. 81,503.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section on the line 1 1, Fig. 4, showing the press open; F ig. 2 is a 4detail sectional elevation on the line 2 2, Fig. 4, showing other positions of the parts; Figx is a similar view showing still other positions; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan View on the line 4 4, Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view on the line 5-5, Fig. 1; Fig. G is a front elevation of the timing mechanism with the cover plate removed; Fig. 'i' is a sectional plan View on lthe line 7-7, F 1 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the bra ing mechanism and circuit controlling switch on the line 8-8, Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a detail view of the motor controlling switch in section on the line 9 9, Fig. 1; and Fig. 10 is a diagram of the electric circui The press shown in the drawing comprises a suitable trame 1 supporting the bed 2 which 1s usually padded and heated and from which frame rises an arm 3 on which is mounted a swinging lever l carrying the one arm and a counter weight 6 on its other arm. The weight is adjusted so that the head has a normal tendency to open. Sliding in a swivel block 7 on the rear arm of the head lever is a rod 8 jointed to a lever 9 at the knuckle 10, said lever 9 being'pivoted in the oot 12 adapted to contact with the stationary bumper 13 and limit opening movementv of the press. The rod 8 and lever 9 together forni a pair of upper and lower toggle members through which pressure is transmitted to the head lever and for which purpose rod 8 is Vprovided with an adjustable collar 14 forming an abutment for adjusting the compression of a spring/15 which at its upper end abiits the swivel block 7.

The toggle members break yor open inwardly or toward the front of the press when the press opens and move toward straightened position as the press is closed. They are actuated for producing h ower pi'essure of the head on the bed by 't e application of pressure to the toggle knuckle l0 through the medium of a link 15 pivotally connected at 1? to .a crank 18 on a shaft 19. The connecting rod 16 is rovided with an elongated slot 20 in which travels the knuckle pin 10, said slot at its rear end having an upper/lateral extension 21vhaving a shoulder or abutment 22 for a purpose which will later appear. Below the link or connecting rod 16 is located a roller 23y on one arm of a lever 24 pivoted at 25 in the frame and the other arm of which is connected by a tension spring 26 to a treadle 27 normally urged upwardly or toward a stop 28 on the frame by a compression spring 29.

The operating means for the power mechanism may include any power source or prime mover, such as the electric motor 30, the shaft of which is provided with a brake drum 31 and beyond said drum passes through a casing 32 Within which it is provided with a worm 33 in driving relation with a worm wheel 34 on the shaft 19. As the motor rotates it drives shaft 19, turns the crank and operates the connecting rod or link 16, thereby operating the toggle members or'moving idly as will appear.

The brake drum 31 is utilized for the purpose of accurately stopping the rotating parts and insuring a. correct sequence of the several operations. For this purpose the brake drum cooperates with a brake band 35, one end of which is fixed at 36 to a station-v ary part, and the opposite end of which is connected to a rod 37 provided with a collar 38 to receivethe pressure of a compression spring 39 normally tending to tighten the bandaboutthe drum. The motor operated parts are released by release of the brake, which is accomplished by movement of rod. 37 to the right in Fig. 6, said motion being produced by the pressure upon the end of said rod of an adjustable abutment screw 46 mounted in an4 arm 50 of an armature 51 actuated by the coil 52 of an electromagnet. A lateral arm 53 carried by said armature supports a yielding switch arm 54. which when the brake is released moves its contact 55 into contacting relation with a stationary contact 56.

The rotating shaft 19 extends outwardly beyond the casing 32 into a timing casing 57 (Figs. 4, 6 and 7), which 1s heldstationary by a through bolt 58 passing 1nto the casing 32.Y In said casing 57 shaft 19 is provided with an insulating drum 59 carrying two like conducting segments 60, 61, cross-connected by a conducting bridge 62. Segment 60 cooperates with two yielding contacts 63, 64 and segment 61 with two like yielding contacts 65, 66. The several contacts 63, 64, 65 and 66 are all mounted upon like stub Shafts 67 adjustable circumferentially of theshaft 19 in slot-s 68 of the casing 57, enabling the contacts 63, 64, 65 and 66 to be timed in relation to the segments with which they cooperate. y f

lReferring now to the electric diagram,

Fig. 10, .the ress is controlled by two push button switc es 69, 70 suitably located on the frame and interlocked mechanically or otherwise, as shown in Fig. 10, so that but one of said switches may close at a time, the closing of either switch opening the other. 71. represents the main line switch.

The operation is as ,fpllowsz Fig. 1 shows the press open. Crank 18 extends downwardly and to the rear from the shaft 19, the connecting link 16 eX- tends upwardly and rearwardly, and the knuckle pin 10 lies in the slot 20 and near its front end. In other words, although the pressing head is open the operating mechanism has already advanced idly on what would normally be its clos-ing stroke, or until the pin 10 has had full lost motion in the slot 20. The press is closed manually by pulling down with the hands upon the head lever, which is usually provided with a convenient handle 72 forv that purpose. As the press closes the pin 10 travels rearl,wardly in slot 20 taking up its lost motion therein and nally reaching a position opposite the upward extension 21 of slot 20, shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. It cannot reach this position however, until the press is closed to a position at the end of the safe zone, in which the head contacts with the bed, and if a part ofthe operators person, such as a hand or arm, lies between the head and bed, thel press `will not close sufficiently for the knuckle pin 10 to reach a position opposite the slot extension 21. Under normal conditions however, and when the press is fully closed the pin 10 reaches the slot extension 21 and link 16 drops tothe full line position, Fig. 2, .permitting pin 10 to enter tlie lateral slot extension 21 and lie opposite its shoulder 22. It will be noted that this dropping motion of link 16 occurs.

when the link is in a position withv its -center ofl gravity outwardly beyond or to the left of the roller 23, so that the weight' of the link `is sufficient to depress roller 23 against the action ofthe spring26. Having so closed the press and established an operative connection to the .toggles of the previously disabled operating mechanism, the operator now depresses the starting button 69, thereby completing a circuit from L1, Fig. 10, by way of the starting button 69, wire 73, contact 66, segment 61, bridge 62, segment 60, contact 64, wire 74, coil 52, and wire 75 to L2. Energization of coil 52 releases the brake and closes the contacts 55, 56, completing a motor circuit from L1 through said contacts and the motor armature and field to L2. Rotation ofthe motor produces clockwise rotation of shaft 19 in Figs. 1 and 2 and such rotation continues for approximately 45 degrees or until the crank 18 reaches horizontal ',position, at which time full power pressure has been exerted. At this point the rotation of shaft 19 has carried the gaps in the segments 60, 61 to the contacts 64,- 66, so that the circuit through the coil 52 is opened. Spring 39 thereupon applies the brake and the contacts 55, G are opened and the motor stops. Simultaneously the other ends of the segments 60, 61, reach the contacts 63,65. The garment in the press is now under full powm er pressure and isallowed to lie for any desired time as determined by the operator.

To open the press the opera-tor depresses the release button 70, thereby opening the pressure button 69. Depression of button 70 completes a control circuit from L1 through said button and by way of Contact 65, segment 61, ridge 62, segment 60, contact (53, wire 76 and coil 52 to wire 75 and Lf, again closing lthe contacts 55, 5G, releasing the brake and closing the motor circuit. The motor again starts to rotate and in the same direction as before, this time rotating approximately 315 degrees or until the motor and switch parts reach their former positions, shown in Fig. 1, at which time the gaps in the segments G0, 61, reach the contacts 63, 65 and open the control circuit and as before, (ie-energize coil 52 and cause the" motor circuit to open. During 'its second half cycle of the motor operation the crank 18 rotates clockwise, the first effect being to cause the link 16 to exert pulling force upon the toggles, breaking the same and positively opening the press. Link 16 serves as a .tension member until the crank pin 17 reaches its extreme right handposition shown in Fig. 3. As it passes the dead center position link 16 is neutral and subjected neither to tension norte compression. Also, its left hand end lies above the roller S23 and. its center of gravity to the right ot said roller. The gravity effector the lilik upon the roller is therefore considerably less than when the link dropped, as

before described in. connection with Fig. 2. Consequently the effect of spring 26 exerted through the lever 24 is to elevate the link and turn the same in the clockwise direction, so that' knuckle pin 10 leaves the recess 21 and enters the lengthwise portion of the slot 20,

as in dotted lines, Fig. 3. As the crank 18 continues its motion the link 16 is moved to the left, but the head lever and toggle members 8 and 9 remain in the position shown in Fig. 1 aiid the motor operated parts move idly to the osition shown in Fig. 1, thereby disabling t ie operating connections. rlhe press can again be closed manually and pressure may be produced as before.

Should the operator depress the starting button with the press parts in open position, as ,shown in the drawing, or-with the ress partly closed to a position short offull -c osed position, no interlock of the pin 10 in the recess 21 is produced andthe motor operated parts go through an idle halt` cycle to full pressure position, hut without exerting any pressure upon or producing any momotor operated parts work idly without affecting the pressing head.

lt will be noted that the crank 18, which is the power operating member for the pressing members, has a forward stroke from right to left in Fig. 1 and a rearward or reverse stroke from left to right in saidview, both strokes being in the clockwise direction, and that it stops during its forward stroke and short of the end thereof and also at approximately the end of the forward stroke. The pressing head is counterweighted so that it always tends to normally open. lilith the power operating crank 18 in the first of its two stopped positions, as shown in Fig. 1, manual closing movement of the head establishes an operative relation in the connections of the operating member 18 to the head and so latches the parts that advance of member 18-for the remainder; of its forward stroke produces powerv pressure. Again, when the power operating crank 18 is approximately at the end of its rearward stroke or at its extreme right hand position, Fig. 1, the operating connections from said member to the head are disabled, the head remains in the open position to which it has been moved and the power operating member 18 continues to move through its forward stroke to a position short of the end thereot,n where it stops as shown in Fig. 1.

Sometimes it happens that after the head has been closed manually with the power operating parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, it is desired to open the press without producing a power operation. ln such event the treadle 2' is depressed to produce extra tension in the spring 2G and thereby turn lever 24 clockwise and elevate the link 1G from the full to the dotted line position, Fig. 2. In other words, under such circumn llll stances the operator may disable the operating connections at will and then open the press manually.

It will also be noted that the press is safeguarded. against any derangement ot the electrical circuits, such as might cause the motor to continue to run, indefinitely or fail to respond to efforts to stop it. In such event, regardless of the position of the `pressing parts when derangement occurs` and power transmitting mechanism connected with said power means for fully opening the press, said mechanism including means for rendering said mechanism capable,

only when the press is closed, of transmitting power therethrough for producing power pressure between said pressing members.

2. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members ,adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and to produce power pressure between the pressing members, means for placing said mechanism tively movable pressing members adapted to in condition to transmit power therethrough for power pressure between the pressing members only when the press is closed, and

means for putting said mechanismin nontransmitting condition upon an opening of the presse 3; A vpressing machine, comprising relatively movablepressing members adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby openthe press power means, and mechanism connected with said poweimeans and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and to produce power pressure between 4 l I n Y the pressing nieinbeis, means for placing said mechanism in condition to transmit power therethrough for power pressure be- ,tween the pressing members only when the vpress is closed, and automatically operable means for putting said mechanism in nontiansmitting condition upon' an opening of the press.

4. A pressing machine,- comprising `relatively inovable pressing members adapted to be manually brouvht together to thereby close the ress and lbeing adapted to be separatedto t ereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means yand having a power transmitting condition an`d a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and to proi yielding means for putting said mechanism iii non-transmitting condition upon an opening of the press. y

5. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought. together to ,thereby close the press and beingadapted to beseparated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and to produce power pressure between the pressing members, means for placing said mechanism in condition to transmit power therethrough for power pressure between the pressing members only when the press is closed, and automatically operable yielding means for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition upon an opening ofthe press.

5. A pressingmachine, comprising relabe manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with saidl power means and having apower transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in tiansmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and tov r produce power pressure between the pressing members, the parts being so constructed and arranged that saidv mechanism is put in condition to 'transmit power therethrough for power pressure between the pressing members only when the press is closed, and' opeiatoioperable means for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition.

7;"A pressing machine, comprising rela-v tively movable pressing inembers adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting coni dition, saidl mechanism' being `capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting loo power therethrough to fully open the press and to produce power pressure between the pressing members, means for placing said mechanism in condition to transmit power therethrough for power pressure between the pressing members only when' the press is closed, and automatically operable mean.,

for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition upon an opening of the press, said automatically operable means being also capable of operation by the operator,

8. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power-transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press and `to produce power pressure between the pressing members, means forplaeing said mechanism in condition to transmit power therethrough for power pressure between the pressingr members only when the press is closed, and automatically operable means for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition, said automatically operable means being also capable of operation by the operator.

9. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movablc pressing members adapted to be manually brought torrether to thereby close the press and being a apted to bc separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having al power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable, when in transmitting condition, of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press yand to produce power pressure between said pressing members, means for automatically opening the press when said mechanism is in non-transmitting 4condition, and means7 for putting said mechanism. in non-transmitting condition after the press is closed, whereby said press will be automatically opened.

l0. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having-a-powcr transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable, when iri transmitting condition, of transmitting power therethrough to produce power pressure between said pressing members, means for automatically opening the press` when said mechanism is in non-transmitting condition, and means for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition after the press is closed, whereby said press will be automatically opened. l

l1. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought toffether to thereby close the press and being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power transmitting condition and anon-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable, when in` transmitting condition, of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press, means :tor placing said mechanism in condition to transmit power therethrough for final pressure only when the press is closed, means for automatically opening the press when lsaid mechanism is in non-transmitting condition, and means for putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition, whereby said press will be automatically opened.

l2. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and'being adapted to be separated to thereby open the press, power means, and mechanism connected with said power means and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to produce power pressure between the pressing members and to fully open the press, means for automatically opening the press when said mechanism is in non-transmitting condition, and operator operable means for changing said mechanism from transmitting condition to non-transmitting condition after the press is closed and before power has been transmitted through said mechanism for producing final pressure between' the pressing members.

13. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought to ether to thereby close the press and being a apted to be separated to thereby open the press, a power operated member having forward and rearward strokes having power transmitting mechanism connected with said power operated member and having a power transmitting condition, and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being Capable when in transmitting condition ofjtransmitting power therethrough to fully open the press during the rearward stroke of said power operated member, and means for automatically putting said mechanism in non-transmitting condition uponan opening of the press.

14. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought'together to thereby close the press and separated to thereby open the press, a power operated member having forward and rearward strokes havingn power transmitting mechanism connected with said power operated member and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting being adapted to bev loo lli

condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting power therethrough to fully open the press during the rearward stroke of said powerI operated member, and means for automatically putting said mechanism in nontransmitting condition upon an opening of the press, said mechanism remaining in nontransmitting condition during a part of the forward strokel of said power operated member.

15. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members adapted to be manually brought together to thereby close the press and being adapted to' be separated to thereby open the press, a power operated member having forward and rearward strokes having power transmitting mechanism connected with said power operated member and having a power transmitting condition and a non-transmitting condition, said mechanism being capable when in transmitting condition of transmitting powerftherethrough to fully open the press during the rearward stroke of said.k

power operated member, and means for automatically putting said mechanism in nontransmitting condition upon an opening of the press, said mechanism remaining in nontransmitting condition during a part of the forward stroke of said power operated member, and means for automatically stopping said power operated member at the completion of said part of -the forward stroke.

16. A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members, upper and lower toggle members for producing relative movement of said pressing members, means normally tending to operate said toggle members to separate said pressing members and thereby open the press, a crank, aV connecting rod extending from said crank to the knuckle of said toggle members and having a lostv motion connection with said knuckle, said toggle members being capable of manual operation to bring said pressing members together to thereby-close the press, and means whereby the 'closing of the press takes up the lost motion in said connection and effects an operative connection between said connecting rodand the knuckle of said toggle members.

17. A ,pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members, upper and lower toggle members for producing relative Levases movement ofsaid pressing members, means normally tending to loperate said toggle inembersto separate said pressing members and thereby open the press, a crank, a connecting rod extendin from said crank to the knuckle of said togg e members and having a lost motion connection with said knuckle, said toggle members being capable of manual operation to bring said pressing members together to thereby close the press, and, means whereby the closing of the press takes up the lost motion in said connection and effects an operative connection between said connecting rod. and the knuckle of said toggle members, and operator operable means for rendering inoperative the connection of said connecting rod and the knuckle of said toggle members.

18.4A pressing machine, comprising relatively movable pressing members, upper and lower togglemembers for producing relative movement of said pressing members, means normally tending to operate said toggle members to separate said pressing members and thereby open the press, a crank, a connecting rod extending from said crank to the knuckle of said toggle members and having la lost motion connection with said knuckle,

said toggle members being capable of manual operation to bring said pressing members together to thereby close the press, and

means whereby the closing of the press takes up the lost motion in vsaid connection and effects an operative connection between said connecting rod and the knuckle of saidy toggle members, and means adapted upon a release operation of said crank to automatically render inoperative the connection of said connecting rod to the knuckle of said toggle members.

19. A pressing machine comprising a bed, a movable head, means normally tending to move the, head to open position, toggle means operatively connected to the head and to a relatively fixed part and arranged to straighten with the closing of the head, means for closing the head, power means, and a part operated by said power means and effective at substantially the knuckle of the toggles and only when the same are substantially straightened and the press closed for exerting filial pressure.

In testimony whereof hereby affix my 

